Biochemistry for Nurses - Introduction

Introduction

CHON- Found in living organisms

The energy that used to combine molecules
are coming from volcano and lightning

DKP/COF/GS

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Molecule: Group of atoms bonded together
Biomolecule: Combination of different molecules that
create life (Composed of living things)
Introduction

 Definition of Biochemistry:
Biochemistry is the chemistry of
biological systems
 Molecules are lifeless but they
compose living things
 These molecules are called
Biomolecules

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 Monomer: Simplest form
Biomolecules
Polymer: Complex form

Building block Macromolecule

(Monomer) (Polymer)
Amino Acids Protein Glucose is
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for the only used
production of amino acids and proteins by the
human body
Sugar residues (e.g Carbohydrate
glucose, sucrose, What is the form of glucose that
we give for a person has low
fructose) energy and do not eat? Dextrose

Nucleic Acids Nucleotide DNA, RNA

What do you call the cell division that happen in somatic cell? Mitosis
What do you call the cell division that happen in sex cell? Meiosis

Glycerol and fatty acids Lipids

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Characteristics of Living Systems-4
1.Highly organized and complicated
2.Biological structure serve functional purpose
Characteristics of Living Systems
3.Energy transformation
4.Self replication

1. Living organisms are

complicated and highly
organized In the process of cell
division if there is no

 composed of many cells break the person may

develop cancer

 cells are highly structured into

organelles; macromolecules within
organelles take part in many
chemical reactions
Organelles enclosed with membrane
Endoplasmic reticulum it's NOT an organelle
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 In Case of hyperacidity HCl will be high
In order to counter out the effect of acid we
Characteristics of Living Systems
have to take Al(OH)3- Aluminum hydroxide

2. Biological structures serve

functional purposes Biological structures
play a role in the
 Structures are specific organism's existence

 The levels of organization observed

by organelles and macromolecules
allows them to perform specific
functions

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 What are the special biomolecules which
Characteristics
provide energy to of
theLiving Systems
cell? ATP,NADPH

3. Energy transfomations occur within

living systems
 Solar energy is transformed into ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH
(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate) which are special
biomolecules which provide energy to the
cell All cellular activities need ATP and NADPH
 Activities of the cell which require energy
include biosynthesis, movement and
osmotic work against a concentration
gradient

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 Characteristics of Living Systems

4. Living systems are highly

efficient at self-replication.
 This is due to DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules
which are able to reproduce into
duplicate DNA strands from an
original DNA strand.

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 What elements are biomolecules
composed of?
Nonmetallic elements-6
CHN/OPS
 Biomolecules are composed mainly of six
nonmetallic elements: carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorous, and
sulfur 3% from vitamins
 These atoms make up >97% of the weight
of most organisms
 These elements can form stable covalent
bonds As a human being, why we are organic
organisms?Because most of our body
Points to note: is composed of C&H
 Water is a major component of cells
 Carbon is more abundant in living
organisms than it is in the rest of the
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What are elements are more abundant in
sun?H&He (Hydrogen
Periodic Table and Helium)
showing the elements present in biomolecules

•Carbon,
Importantoxygen,
elementshydrogen, nitrogen,
found in living cells are
phosphorous,sulfur
shown in color (CHN/OPS)

6• The six abundant elements are in red

(CHNOPS)
Na,Mg,K,Cl,Ca
5• Five essential ions are in purple 5/13
• Trace elements are in dark blue (more
common) and light blue (less common)
Mn,Fe,Co,Cu,Zn V,Cr,Ni,Ga,Al,B,Si,A,Se
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,Sn,Mo,F,I
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 Biomolecules Are Carbon Compounds
Why is carbon so predominant in
living systems?
Carbon is predominant molecule in human body
97% of the human body is made up of carbon
 This is because of the ability of
carbon atoms to bond together to
form long chains and rings.

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The number of the electrons
Atomic number: Number of protons (P)
in the outer orbit is always
Atomic weight: Neutrons (N)+Protons(P)
unstable, so they need other
electrons to be stabilized by
connecting with another Carbon
elements forming bonds and
to form compound

P:6
N:6

2SP4 Add 4e to stabilize it

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 2SP4Atomic
(Add 4e of H Number
number: to stabilize the C
of protons and form a
(P)
compound
Atomic called
weight:CH4)
Neutrons (N)+Protons(P)
CH4-Methan

Carbon can covalently bond with up

to four other atoms.
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Carbon can form immensely diverse compounds,
from simple to complex.
The discovery in of the double helix is done by francis crick
Atom
Simple form Element Complex form
Compound
Molecule
Biomolecule
Cell
Tissue
Organ
System
Human body
Methane with 1 Carbon DNA with tens of Billions of
atom Carbon atoms

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 LCBP Different molecules arranged together(Polymers)

Examples of Carbon Biomolecules

Structural Organization of Complex Biomolecules-4

LINEAR ALIPHATIC
Stearic acid-18C

CYCLIC
LDL (Bad)
Cholesterol HDL (Good) Planar: Chlorophyll a

BRANCHED
B-Carotene

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 Hierarchy of Molecular Components
Basic amino acids (AGTC)
in a Cell -6
Excess bilirubin = Indication for liver disease
23 pairs of chromosomes)=46 chromosomes
The
Cell
And its Organelles
Supramolecular
Complexes
e.g Enzyme complexes,
ribosomes,chromosomes

Macromolecules
Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids,
DNA, RNA
Biomolecules
(Building Blocks) Amino acids, Sugars,
Fatty acids, Glycerol, Nucleic acids

Formation of metabolites Metabolites

Pyruvate,citrate, succinate,
Glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate, Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate

Most common compounds that Precursors

can be found inside the cell-5 H2O, CO2, NH4+, NO3- and N2

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 Precursors or metabolites (H2O, CO2, NO3-, NH4+
and N2) react chemically to produce biomolecules
such as amino acids, sugars (monosaccharides),
nucleic acids, fatty acids, glycerol.
 These biomolecules are building blocks or monomers
for the formation of the polymers which are
macromolecules (Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, DNA, RNA)
Each type of macromolecule is made up of a different
type of building block.
 Macromolecules are assembled into supramolecular
complexes (e.g chromosomes, ribosomes, enzyme
complexes) which are responsible for specialized
functions
 Supramolecular complexes are localized into
organelles within each cell. Organelles also have
specific functions
Organelles enclosed with membrane
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 Properties of the biomolecules-5
1. Have structural polarity
2. Able to store information
Properties of Biomolecules Which Reflect
3. Have 3D shapes which give them different chemical and physical properties
4. Bonded by NON-covalent bond, that's why they are easily broken
their Suitability for Living Systems
5. Structural complementary which allowed them to recognize each other
Properties of Biomolecules Which Reflect their Suitability for Living Systems

1. Macromolecules are made up of building blocks which make them

non-symmetrical. They have structural polarity
2. Because of this structural polarity, they are able to store
information. The sequence of building blocks which make up the
macromolecules allows different bits of information to be stored e.g
proteins (made up of amino acids) and DNA (made up of nucleic
acids)
3. They have unique 3D shapes because of their sequences which give
them different chemical and physical properties and allow
them to perform different functions
4. Weak chemical forces (non-covalent) link macromolecules together
which allow constant formation and breaking of interactions
between macromolecules. These forces include hydrogen bonds,
van der Waals forces, ionic and hydrophobic interactions.
5. There is structural complementarity between certain
macromolecules which allow them to recognize each other. Weak
chemical forces hold these macromolecules together when
necessary so that their functions can be carried out, after which the
attractions are broken e.g an enzyme and its specific substrate

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 LEVEL 1: THE CELL AND ITS ORGANELLES
LEVEL 2: SUPRAMOLECULAR COMPLEXES
LEVEL 3: MACROMOLECULES
LEVEL 4: BIOMOLECULES
IN SUPRAMOLECULAR COMPLEXES, THE DIFFERENT MACROMOLECULES ARE HELD
TOGETHER BY (e.g.) non-covalent bond-4
HYDROGEN BONDS (between polar groups),
IONIC INTERACTIONS (betw. charged groups),
HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS (betw. nonpolar groups), AND
VAN DER WAALS INTERACTIONS (these bonds have energies of only a few kJ; covalent
bonds have bond energies of 200 to 900 kJ/mol)
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 Comparison of non-covalent forces of
attraction between molecules

Charged +-

Polar
-+-
+-
-+

Fear of combining
with water ex; lipids

Nonpolar

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Metabolism: Is the combination of catabolism and anabolism (The whole process)
Metabolism: Process of transforming of one molecule to another inside the body
2 process of metabolism:
Metabolism
Catabolism: Process of breaking down
Anabolism: Process of building up

 Definition: Metabolism is the set

of chemical reactions that
happen in living organisms to
maintain life. These processes
allow organisms to grow and
reproduce, maintain their
structures, and respond to their
environments.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism

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 Our body can easily destroy prokaryotics (bacteria) if they are not too plenty in number

If the are too plenty in number, the body need aid which is the (antibiotics) in order to destroy
the prokaryotics by pricking the cell membrane

Cells – 2 categories
They are primitive cells
• Prokaryotes - do not have a membrane-
bound nucleus or other organelles
2 classes or lineages – eubacteria and
archaea (thermoacidophiles, halophiles and
methanogens)
• Eukaryotes - possess nucleus and other
True cell
New cell

organelles
Cell membrane contains fats and protein molecules; that's why cell membrane is made-up of
cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton: Combination of different molecules that guard or protect the cytosol from escaping
from the cell so the cell may not be die
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Cytoskeleton www.ifeet.org
the shape of the cell 27
1. Introduction to biochemistry

1. Organize the system of life? – 8

Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species

2. - - -, Group of atoms bonded together Molecules

3.----, Combination of different molecules that create life (composed of

living things) Biomolecules

4.----, Is the chemistry of biological systems Biochemistry

5. Which of the following is a characteristic of molecules?

A. Combination of atoms
B. Lifeless
C. Nonessential

6. What is the polymers of amino acids?

Proteins
7. What does the amino acids have that the sugar does not have?

A. Carbon
B. Nitrogen
C. Oxygen

8. What is the essential nutrient for the production of amino acids and
proteins?

A. Carbon
B. Nitrogen
C. Oxygen

9. What is the monomer of carbohydrates? Monosaccharides; glucose

sucrose, fructose

10. What is the form of glucose that we give for a person has low energy
and do not eat?

A. Dextrose
B. Normasol
C. Glucose
11. What is the substance needed to prevent dehydration and for irrigation?

A. Dextrose
B. Normasol
C. Glucose

12. Which form of sugar is only used by the human body?

A. Glucose
B. Sucrose
C. Fructose

13. What do you call the cell division that happen in somatic cell?

Mitosis

14. What do you call the cell division that happen in sex
six cell?

Meiosis

15. Identify the characteristics of living systems-4

1. Highly organized and complicated

2. Biological structure serve functional purpose
3. Energy transformation
4. Self replication

16. What is the subcellular structure that exist in the cell called?

Organells
17. Where does the macromolecules take part in many chemical reactions?

A. Cell wall
B. Cell membrane
C. Organelles

18. What is more significant about the organelles?

1. Does not enclosed with membrane

2. Enclosed with membrane
3. Too big in size

19. What is the reason behind performing specific functions in the cell?

A. Level of organization and biological structures

B. DNA replicated
C. Biological structures

20. What are the special biomolecules which provide energy to the cell?

A. ATP, NADPH
B. 1-6 Fructose biphospate
C. Pyruvate
 21. Write the full form of ATP and NADPH

ATP: Adenosine triphosphate

NADPH: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

22. Why the living system are highly efficient at self-replication?

A. Due to duplicate DNA strand from the original DNA strand

B. Due to duplicate RNA strand from the original RNA strand
C. Due to duplicate of DNA and RNA

23. What elements are biomolecules composed of?-6

CHN/OPS

24. What is the percentage of the nonmetallic elements that makes up the
weight of the most organisms?

A. More than 97%

B. Less than 97%
C. Less than 90%
25. What is the major component of the cell?

A. H
B. H2O
C. N2

26. What is the more abundant element in living organisms than it is in the
rest of the universe?

A. H2O
B. C
C. N

27. As a human being, why we are organic organisms?

A. Because most of our body is composed of C&H

B. Because most of our body is composed of C&N2
C. Because most of our body is composed of H2&N2

28. What are the five essential ions?

Na,Mg,K,Cl,Ca
29. Which of the following is the more common type of trace elements?

A. Cu
B. Ga
C. Si

30. Which of the following is the less common type of trace elements?

A. Zn
B. Cu
C. Ga

31. Why is carbon so predominant in living systems?

A. This is because of the ability of carbon atoms to bond together to form

long chains and rings
B. This is because of the inability of carbon atoms to bond together to form
long chains and rings
C. This is because it's a famous element
32. What is the atomic number and atomic weight?

Atomic number: Number of protons (P)

Atomic weight: Neutrons (N)+Protons(P)

33. What is the atomic number of carbon?

A. 4
B. 6
C. 7

34. What is the atomic weight of carbon?

A. 4
B. 12
C. 7

35. How many electrons in the last orbit of carbon atom?

A. 4e
B. 2e
C. 5e

36. How many electrons needed to stabilize the carbon atom?

A. 4e
B. 2e
C. 5e
37. What is the atom that will form a covalent bond with the carbon atom to
be stable?
A. Hydrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Nitrogen

38. Which of the following is an example of simple form of carbon

compound?

A. CH4
B. DNA with billions of carbon atoms
C. CH2

39. Which of the following is an example of linear aliphatic shape of the

carbon biomolecules?

A. Streac acids
B. Cholesterol
C. B-caronate
D. Chlorophyll a

40. Which of the following is an example of cyclic shape of the carbon

biomolecules?

A. Streac acids
B. Cholesterol
C. B-caronate
D. Chlorophyll a
41. Which of the following is an example of branshed shape of the carbon
biomolecules?

A. Streac acids
B. Cholesterol
C. B-caronate
D. Chlorophyll a

42. Which of the following is an example of planar shape of the carbon

biomolecules?

A. Streac acids
B. Cholesterol
C. B-caronate
D. Chlorophyll a

43. According to the hierarchy of molecular components in cells, what are

the most common compounds that can be found inside the cell
(Precursors)?- 5

H2O, CO2, NO3, N2, NH4

 44. Which of the following is an end product of metabolic mechanism?

A. Amino acids
B. Pyruvate
C. Glycerol

45. What will happen when the macromolecules are assembles together, this
will form?

A. Biomolecules
B. Supramolscular complexes
C. Organelles

46. What are the biomolecules properties?-4

Properties of the biomolecules-5

1. Have structural polarity
2. Able to store information
3. Have 3D shapes which give them different chemical and physical properties
4. Bonded by NON-covalent bond, that's why they are easily broken
5. Structural complementary which allowed them to recognize each other

47. How many KJ covalent bond contains?

A. 200KJ
B. 2KJ
C. 200 to 900KJ
48. What is the noncovalent force that refers to sharing of hydrogen atom
between electronegative atoms (N,O)?

A. Hydrogen bond
B. Electrostatic forces
C. Van der Waals forces
D. Hydrophobic forces

49. What is the noncovalent force that refers to attraction between opposite
charges?

A. Hydrogen bond
B. Electrostatic forces
C. Van der Waals forces
D. Hydrophobic forces

50. What is the noncovalent force that refers to unfavorably interaction with
water and tend to pack together to exclude water molecules, this attraction
involve van der Waals forces?

A. Hydrogen bond
B. Electrostatic forces
C. Van der Waals forces
D. Hydrophobic forces
51. What is the noncovalent force that refers to fluctuations in electron
clouds around molecules oppositely polarize neigrobing atoms?

A. Hydrogen bond
B. Electrostatic forces
C. Van der Waals forces
D. Hydrophobic forces

52. Define the following

Metabolism: Combination of the catabolism and anabolism

Capitalism: Process of breaking down

Anabolism: Process of building up

53. - - - - -, do not have a membrane-bound nucleus or other organelles

Prokaryotes
54. Which of the following is an example of prokaryotic cell?
A. Halophiles and Methanogens
B. Animal cell
C. Plant cell

55. - - - - -, Possess nucleus and other organelles Eukaryotes